Former Granville T. Woods Academy, Chicago, 2023. © David Schalliol.
About the film
What happened since Chicago closed 50 public schools in 2013? This documentary retraces the history of the largest mass school closures in the US history highlighting the intertwined issues of inequity, racism, and injustice. Three closed schools showcase a new pathway, one of community self-determination. Through the voices of community members leading the repurposing of Emmet, Woods, and Overton schools, this film reflects on community impact, their setbacks, and wins towards redevelopment.
FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH
Paola Aguirre Serrano, Partner, Borderless Studio
Quiwana Bell, former COO, Westside Health Authority; Assistant Secretary Designate, Illinois Department of Human Services
Niketa Brar, Cofounder and former Executive Director, Chicago United for Equity; Director of Policy, Sustainable Cities, Policy Link
Asiaha Butler, Cofounder and CEO, RAGE (Residents Association of Greater Englewood)
Cecile DeMello, Executive Director, Teamwork Englewood
Sarah Karp, Education Reporter, Chicago Public Media/WBEZ
Alden Loury, Data Projects Editor, Chicago Public Media/WBEZ
Deon Lucas, Cofounder, E.G. Woode; Director, Beehyyve
Ghian Foreman, Managing Partner, Washington Park Development Group; President & CEO, Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative
Jacqueline Reed, Founder and former CEO, Westside Health Authority
Morris Reed, CEO, Westside Health Authority
Sana Sayed, Chief Growth and Strategy Director, Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN)
Darnell Shields, Executive Director, Austin Coming Together
Norman Teague, Artist and Designer, Norman Teague Design Studios
Sana Sayed, former Granville T. Woods Academy, Chicago. © On The Real Film and Borderless Studio.
Ghian Foreman, former Anthony Overton School, Chicago. © On The Real Film and Borderless Studio.
CREDITS
Filmmaking Team: On The Real Film and Borderless Studio
On The Real Film is a Chicago based-production company founded in 2011 by Erin Babbin and Michael Sullivan that values storytelling and keeping it real, strives for honesty in filmmaking, and centers people underserved by mainstream media. Specializing in documenting the vibrant worlds of artists, musicians, arts organizations, nonprofits, and university programs, On The Real Film works to uplift Chicago voices and narratives. Their work in cinema extends globally, with productions in South and Central America, Europe and Africa, as well as screenings in international festivals from Paris to Mexico City, Mumbai, Hamburg, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Park City.
BORDERLESS is a design and research practice based in Chicago and San Antonio focused on approaches and collaboration frameworks addressing spatial justice and equitable design while cultivating collaborative design agency. With emphasis on interdisciplinary exchange, Borderless explores creative civic design and engagement interventions that address the complexity of urban systems and spatial equity by looking at intersections between architecture, urban design, infrastructure, landscape, planning, and community processes. Borderless’s work has been recently recognized by The Architecture League of New York with the Emerging Voices Award (2022), and the John and Catherine MacArthur Foundation’s Creative Placemaking Award (2022).
